Husky 33 Gal vs. HFT 29 Gal Compressor?

[p3dal]

I've been shopping for my first compressor for a few weeks now, and I've read everything I can find on it, which essentially boils down to the following advice:
- Get an oil-lube compressor
- Get the biggest tank you can
- Get 220v if you can

Finding all three of those priorities in a single compressor is hard for around $300, but these two came close and I'm wondering which you'd go with:

Husky 33 Gal:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-33...ressor-C331H/203995169?N=c2fhZrd#.UtyTFRDTmbg

Pros:
165psi
2 yr warranty
78dba
33 Gal
Cons:
OIL FREE
120v

Harbor freight 29 gal: (there are 2 very similar models so I just picked the one with better reviews)
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-68127.html

Pros:
Can be converted to 220v
Belt driven
2hp motor
Oiled motor
Cons:
No warranty
Even the positive reviews seem to describe replacing parts right out of the box

Or is there another option I'm missing? I'd love to spend a little less money, I was originally shopping in the $150 range, since I'm only using it for finish nailing and light impact wrench duty and trim painting in the near term. I might use it for grinding or sanding in the future, but if those are the only things I need the high CFM for, I can always go electric for that.

I've shopped the used market up here pretty thoroughly, and I can get a real steal on small oilless compressors, but the garage grade ones seem to all live in garages until they die. The best I could find so far was a used 33 gal husky for $160, but without the warranty, I'm not sure if that's the best idea.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Forget the Husky, it is an oilless motor.

If you have a Lowes home improvement store near you, check out one simiair to the Husky with a nice cast iron motor. Runs around $340 IIRC.

 

[p3dal]

Forget the Husky, it is an oilless motor.

If you have a Lowes home improvement store near you, check out one simiair to the Husky with a nice cast iron motor. Runs around $340 IIRC.

Thanks for the reply, but I'm just not seeing it on the Lowes website: http://www.lowes.com/Tools/Air-Tool...1z10d76&N[]=2z8vp&Ns=p_product_price|1&page=1

The biggest compressor they have under $400 is this guy:http://www.lowes.com/pd_447171-48533-SP-CE415M_1z10d76+2z8vp__?productId=4646165&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1%26page%3D1&facetInfo=$200%20-%20$400

Or did you mean something smaller like this dewalt? (which has been tempting me also)
http://www.lowes.com/pd_155839-70-D55146_1z10d76+2z8vp__?productId=1036715&Ns=p_product_price|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_price%7C1%26page%3D1&facetInfo=$200%20-%20$400

 

[Tarheelgarage]

This one here....http://www.lowes.com/pd_268707-1126...entURL=?Ntt=air+compressors&page=1&facetInfo=

Also check out Northern Tool for their compressors. There is a similair PUMA brand that gets good reviews.

 

[p3dal]

This one here....http://www.lowes.com/pd_268707-1126...entURL=?Ntt=air+compressors&page=1&facetInfo=

Also check out Northern Tool for their compressors. There is a similair PUMA brand that gets good reviews.

Gosh, paying $450 for only 5.5 SCFM would be really painful. I've seen compressors for half that price claiming the same air flow rate. Are they lying? I'm stretching to reach the $350 price point. At $450 I'll just say "screw it" and buy more electric tools. I already have a few already. I think I can get an airless paint setup, an electric impact and an electric nailer for that price.

 

[lightning02]

i would say screw it. i had one of those smaller units and it *****. couldnt do **** with it. i ended up just using it to air up tires.

 

[p3dal]

One more face off:

Dewalt oilless 200psi http://www.toolup.com/dewalt_d55168...scplp1094442&gclid=CMjwi6WTjLwCFRKBfgodxR0A9w

VS

Harbor freight belt driven oiled compressor: http://www.harborfreight.com/2-horsepower-29-gal-125-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-69865.html

 

[vtec?lol]

Get you a good set of cordless tools.

I ended up buying Milwaukee and Craftsman cordless 1/2" impact wrenches. I love them way more than I did my air tools. Less mess, less maintenance, no hose to drag around, less electricity used, and no loud/big/heavy compressor.

Get a good used oiled compressor for finish nailing and airbrushing. If you can't find one, pancake compressors will do the trick.

 

[p3dal]

Get you a good set of cordless tools.

I ended up buying Milwaukee and Craftsman cordless 1/2" impact wrenches. I love them way more than I did my air tools. Less mess, less maintenance, no hose to drag around, less electricity used, and no loud/big/heavy compressor.

Get a good used oiled compressor for finish nailing and airbrushing. If you can't find one, pancake compressors will do the trick.

Thanks! I've already bought into the Dewalt 20V lineup with my impact driver/drill combo, so adding tools once you have the batteries and charger is actually surprisingly affordable.

Can you do airbrushing with a pancake? I need to paint a house's worth of baseboards before I install them. I could always brush them by hand since it's gonna be a one time thing, but that sure seems like a lot of baseboards...

 

[vtec?lol]

Thanks! I've already bought into the Dewalt 20V lineup with my impact driver/drill combo, so adding tools once you have the batteries and charger is actually surprisingly affordable.

Can you do airbrushing with a pancake? I need to paint a house's worth of baseboards before I install them. I could always brush them by hand since it's gonna be a one time thing, but that sure seems like a lot of baseboards...

Well no you can't do all that. Look for a good used compressor then. I had an old quincy that last many of years and I got it for only $100 on craigs.

You can always look at cordless paint sprayers

 

[p3dal]

Well no you can't do all that. Look for a good used compressor then. I had an old quincy that last many of years and I got it for only $100 on craigs.

You can always look at cordless paint sprayers

Cordless paint sprayers huh? I'll have to look into that.

I came across a pretty impressive Campbell Hausfeld on craigslist for $100, here are the specs:
Campbell Hansfeld Power Pro
30 gal 3Hp
9.7 cfm@40psi
8.0 cfm@90psi

Only one problem, it was made in 1987. Do you think there is even the remotest of chances that I could find parts for it? I've looked around on mastertoolrepair.com but without a model number I'm pretty lost. I asked the seller for a model number and all he could find was the serial number (i think).

 

[vtec?lol]

Not bad for $100. If I can find the links I can send them t you. I've had a 90's CH and it needed repairs. I looked up my model and they listed all the parts. You can try calling them and seeing if they have anything. I doubt it.